Below is information for 11 new books. Please pick your top four (from which we'll construct the next two Literature Circles).
ENJOY!!
Heather Recommends
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan. This book received a lot of awards from the LGBTQ community. It is a partnership book written by two great YA authors-- so it gives you a chance to see if you like the way these two authors write too. Essentially in the suburbs of Chicago, live two "Will Graysons" who are both in high school. The first Will is straight but best friends since Little League with a openly gay teen boy, who is just a whole lot of fun. The other Will Grayson is discovering he is gay. The group of friends meet in the city one night, both on a night on gone wrong adventure. These authors, quite honestly and completely "nail" the language and behavior of teenagers. Most of the characters are boys, but this is a great book about love and friendship. I was laughing out loud and getting a little misty-eyed (though I am a total wimp, I admit). The other side of the "nailed the teenager" is that this book is pretty edgy.. .lots of language. These kids are really pretty decent kids, though, so other than the language, it is not too risky. I honestly didn't read this book when I heard people "raving" about it. I assumed it was over-rated: I was wrong! I loved it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYpyyZwE9Yc
Crank Ellen Hopkins Crank is the first book in a series of books about a girl dealing with a drug addiction. The story is told in verse novel format. I usually own about 15 copies of 5-6 different Hopkins books and they never make it to the shelf before they are checked out again by another student. In fact, a student attempted to steal a copy of this book
AGAIN just last week. You should have no problem finding this in paperback at any store, but probably checked out at most libraries.
The Sky is Everywhere Jandy Nelson
The Sky is Everywhere appears on the top 25 part of the YALSA 2011 list. This book caused the most "this should be a movie" experience in me in a long time. I loved this book. Admittedly.. it is kind of a chick-lit book: I don't see boys liking this a ton, but they might. If it were a movie, it would have the same mood as "Hope Floats" or "Practical Magic" (I love Sandra Bullock). This book is about two sisters being raised by their grandmother because their single mother just walked away from them one day and left them. Their dope-smoking, free-loving Uncle shares the house; he doesn't say much but he is a fun character as a foil for the stress and anguish the main character faces. This is a very heart-warming story about love, family, first love, and friendship. I seriously have not found a YA book I love as much as this... but I do tend to re-read and re-watch "Pride and Prejudice" too, so keep that in mind. But don't trust me.. this book seems pretty well-reviewed in the blog-o-sphere too.
Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech
You should find no problem finding this book anywhere. It is a little bit old, but so, so good. The title is a reference to a Native American proverb-type-saying which reminds you to not judge anybody until you have "walked two moons in their moccasins." This is probably a book most directed an upper elementary audience. I read it out loud to my daughter when she was in 3rd grade and she loved it. I think it would be a great book for 5th graders.. as it would pair really well with US History lessons and geography. Essentially, the main character moves in with her grandparents in Kentucky, but wants to journey back to Idaho to find her mother. It is a sad story but full of fun and personality too. I could barely read some of the pages out loud because I was crying, so my daughter helped a lot more than I expected. :)
Misty Recommends:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas John Boyne Don’t assume that the simplistic writing style of the novel will make it in easy read. This is one novel that will stay with you for days, months, perhaps years, after you read it. Set in WWII, Bruno and his family move to the “country” to be closer to Bruno’s father’s work. Bruno soon finds himself slipping out of the house to explore the grounds when he meets a young boy, who is always behind the fence, wearing striped pajamas. The story illustrates another side of the Holocaust – what was it like for the families of the German soldiers, and this novel helps illustrate it through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy. If looking for historical accuracy, this may not be the book for you; it is more the story of two boys, trying to be friends in a time when it was not permitted.
The Monstrumologist Rick Yancey Just in time for Halloween! This book is like a mixture of HP Lovecraft and Charles Dickens -- sinister occurrences in an bleak 1880’s setting, populated by seriously flawed human beings and some of the most horrific creatures imaginable! Will Henry is a 12-year old orphan whose mother and father were killed in the service of the title character, an impatient and eccentric monster hunter who allows Will to take his father's place. We meet Will on the night a graverobber brings a special item to the monstrumologist, and the book keeps readers in a state of constant dread until the Will accompanies his teacher and associates to a graveyard to battle monsters -- at that point the action and the horror don't stop until the end of the book. This is not for the faint of heart or the timid reader. Although it's called a novel for Young Adults, an honor book of the Printz Award for young adult literature, those who read it should have a strong stomach and constitution, as well a vivid imagination so that you can create a mental image of what the Anthropophagi, the headless, shark-toothed monsters look like. I did say it was in time for Halloween!
Matched Ally Condie I admit that I am a fan of the novel The Giver, one of the most read middle school books of all time, and I found Matched to be a wonderful companion book to it. Cassia lives in a futuristic dystopia, and she has no control over her own future; her diet is decided for her, her job will be determined for her, as well as her husband. It is only when she gets a glimpse of “who might have been” does she begin to question the Society and her role within it. This is the first of a trilogy, but much like The Giver for younger ages, it can be a stand alone novel, helping people to question what it means to be free in society, and the power that our choices have, especially when given no choices to begin with.
Before I Fall Lauren Oliver A review I read began with "Mean Girls meets Groundhog Day" so of course my curiosity was piqued. I mean I have known plenty of mean girls and who hasn’t ever wished for a “do over”? The main character Sam is one who is not easily liked, and some may struggle with her actions, but stick with her on her journey through reliving the same day seven as she learns the effects of her actions on others. The ending may provide for some interesting conversations surrounding “What just happened?”
Don Recommends:
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 Christopher Paul Curtis
This is a popular whole-class book in middle schools. It tells the story of the lively and loving Watson family and the trip they took in 1963 from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama. Ordinarily, a family vacation in a Buick might not sound exciting enough to build a novel around, but this is 1963, the Watsons are African American, and the American South is still very much in the grip of Jim Crow laws. Set against the background of the Civil Rights Movement, The Watsons Go to Birmingham is dramatic and historically compelling but also laugh-out loud funny.
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Best. Fantasy. Ever. Lyra is an orphan who lives at Oxford University, where she is cared for by the faculty and staff. However, this isn't the real Oxford, it's an Oxford in a somewhat different dimension. One day Lyra discovers that some terrible things are happening in the Far North. Someone is stealing children and taking them there where they are doing unspeakable things to them. Before long, Lyra is on her way to find out what's happening. She soon finds that it involves nothing less than the fate of the entire universe. I'm not a big fantasy reader, but I've been pulled into very few books like I was pulled into this one. Clouds of flying witches, armored warrior polar bears, and, best of all, daemons. What's a daemon? You'll have to read to find out. (And if you happened to catch the movie version, the book is way better.)
Good Brother, Bad Brother
James Cross Giblin
Giblin is one of the very best writers of nonfiction for young readers. This is a biography of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth and his actor-brother Edwin Booth. During the Civil War, Edwin supported the Union and John Wilkes the Confederacy. It's difficult to imagine a family more torn apart by the history they lived through or more infamous because of the part they played in that history. From reading this book I learned a number of new things about the nineteenth century theater, the Lincoln assassination, and the social and political context in which the Civil War took place. And during the chase across Maryland and Virginia when the authorities are trying to catch John Wilkes and his co-conspirators, I couldn't put the book down.
ENJOY!!
Heather Recommends
Will Grayson, Will Grayson
by John Green & David Levithan.
This book received a lot of awards from the LGBTQ community. It is a partnership book written by two great YA authors-- so it gives you a chance to see if you like the way these two authors write too. Essentially in the suburbs of Chicago, live two "Will Graysons" who are both in high school. The first Will is straight but best friends since Little League with a openly gay teen boy, who is just a whole lot of fun. The other Will Grayson is discovering he is gay. The group of friends meet in the city one night, both on a night on gone wrong adventure. These authors, quite honestly and completely "nail" the language and behavior of teenagers. Most of the characters are boys, but this is a great book about love and friendship. I was laughing out loud and getting a little misty-eyed (though I am a total wimp, I admit). The other side of the "nailed the teenager" is that this book is pretty edgy.. .lots of language. These kids are really pretty decent kids, though, so other than the language, it is not too risky. I honestly didn't read this book when I heard people "raving" about it. I assumed it was over-rated: I was wrong! I loved it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYpyyZwE9Yc
Crank
Ellen Hopkins
Crank is the first book in a series of books about a girl dealing with a drug addiction. The story is told in verse novel format. I usually own about 15 copies of 5-6 different Hopkins books and they never make it to the shelf before they are checked out again by another student. In fact, a student attempted to steal a copy of this book
AGAIN just last week. You should have no problem finding this in paperback at any store, but probably checked out at most libraries.
The Sky is Everywhere
Jandy Nelson
The Sky is Everywhere appears on the top 25 part of the YALSA 2011 list. This book caused the most "this should be a movie" experience in me in a long time. I loved this book. Admittedly.. it is kind of a chick-lit book: I don't see boys liking this a ton, but they might. If it were a movie, it would have the same mood as "Hope Floats" or "Practical Magic" (I love Sandra Bullock). This book is about two sisters being raised by their grandmother because their single mother just walked away from them one day and left them. Their dope-smoking, free-loving Uncle shares the house; he doesn't say much but he is a fun character as a foil for the stress and anguish the main character faces. This is a very heart-warming story about love, family, first love, and friendship. I seriously have not found a YA book I love as much as this... but I do tend to re-read and re-watch "Pride and Prejudice" too, so keep that in mind. But don't trust me.. this book seems pretty well-reviewed in the blog-o-sphere too.
Walk Two Moons
Sharon Creech
You should find no problem finding this book anywhere. It is a little bit old, but so, so good. The title is a reference to a Native American proverb-type-saying which reminds you to not judge anybody until you have "walked two moons in their moccasins." This is probably a book most directed an upper elementary audience. I read it out loud to my daughter when she was in 3rd grade and she loved it. I think it would be a great book for 5th graders.. as it would pair really well with US History lessons and geography. Essentially, the main character moves in with her grandparents in Kentucky, but wants to journey back to Idaho to find her mother. It is a sad story but full of fun and personality too. I could barely read some of the pages out loud because I was crying, so my daughter helped a lot more than I expected. :)
Misty Recommends:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
John Boyne
Don’t assume that the simplistic writing style of the novel will make it in easy read. This is one novel that will stay with you for days, months, perhaps years, after you read it. Set in WWII, Bruno and his family move to the “country” to be closer to Bruno’s father’s work. Bruno soon finds himself slipping out of the house to explore the grounds when he meets a young boy, who is always behind the fence, wearing striped pajamas. The story illustrates another side of the Holocaust – what was it like for the families of the German soldiers, and this novel helps illustrate it through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy. If looking for historical accuracy, this may not be the book for you; it is more the story of two boys, trying to be friends in a time when it was not permitted.
The Monstrumologist
Rick Yancey
Just in time for Halloween! This book is like a mixture of HP Lovecraft and Charles Dickens -- sinister occurrences in an bleak 1880’s setting, populated by seriously flawed human beings and some of the most horrific creatures imaginable! Will Henry is a 12-year old orphan whose mother and father were killed in the service of the title character, an impatient and eccentric monster hunter who allows Will to take his father's place. We meet Will on the night a graverobber brings a special item to the monstrumologist, and the book keeps readers in a state of constant dread until the Will accompanies his teacher and associates to a graveyard to battle monsters -- at that point the action and the horror don't stop until the end of the book. This is not for the faint of heart or the timid reader. Although it's called a novel for Young Adults, an honor book of the Printz Award for young adult literature, those who read it should have a strong stomach and constitution, as well a vivid imagination so that you can create a mental image of what the Anthropophagi, the headless, shark-toothed monsters look like. I did say it was in time for Halloween!
Matched
Ally Condie
I admit that I am a fan of the novel The Giver, one of the most read middle school books of all time, and I found Matched to be a wonderful companion book to it. Cassia lives in a futuristic dystopia, and she has no control over her own future; her diet is decided for her, her job will be determined for her, as well as her husband. It is only when she gets a glimpse of “who might have been” does she begin to question the Society and her role within it. This is the first of a trilogy, but much like The Giver for younger ages, it can be a stand alone novel, helping people to question what it means to be free in society, and the power that our choices have, especially when given no choices to begin with.
Before I Fall
Lauren Oliver
A review I read began with "Mean Girls meets Groundhog Day" so of course my curiosity was piqued. I mean I have known plenty of mean girls and who hasn’t ever wished for a “do over”? The main character Sam is one who is not easily liked, and some may struggle with her actions, but stick with her on her journey through reliving the same day seven as she learns the effects of her actions on others. The ending may provide for some interesting conversations surrounding “What just happened?”
Don Recommends:
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
Christopher Paul Curtis
This is a popular whole-class book in middle schools. It tells the story of the lively and loving Watson family and the trip they took in 1963 from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama. Ordinarily, a family vacation in a Buick might not sound exciting enough to build a novel around, but this is 1963, the Watsons are African American, and the American South is still very much in the grip of Jim Crow laws. Set against the background of the Civil Rights Movement, The Watsons Go to Birmingham is dramatic and historically compelling but also laugh-out loud funny.
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Best. Fantasy. Ever. Lyra is an orphan who lives at Oxford University, where she is cared for by the faculty and staff. However, this isn't the real Oxford, it's an Oxford in a somewhat different dimension. One day Lyra discovers that some terrible things are happening in the Far North. Someone is stealing children and taking them there where they are doing unspeakable things to them. Before long, Lyra is on her way to find out what's happening. She soon finds that it involves nothing less than the fate of the entire universe. I'm not a big fantasy reader, but I've been pulled into very few books like I was pulled into this one. Clouds of flying witches, armored warrior polar bears, and, best of all, daemons. What's a daemon? You'll have to read to find out. (And if you happened to catch the movie version, the book is way better.)
Good Brother, Bad Brother
James Cross Giblin
Giblin is one of the very best writers of nonfiction for young readers. This is a biography of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth and his actor-brother Edwin Booth. During the Civil War, Edwin supported the Union and John Wilkes the Confederacy. It's difficult to imagine a family more torn apart by the history they lived through or more infamous because of the part they played in that history. From reading this book I learned a number of new things about the nineteenth century theater, the Lincoln assassination, and the social and political context in which the Civil War took place. And during the chase across Maryland and Virginia when the authorities are trying to catch John Wilkes and his co-conspirators, I couldn't put the book down.